Losing weight and staying at a healthy weight can help lower your risk for CAD. Weight loss frequently improves other risk factors related to CAD,
such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and may also help control
diabetes.

If you have CAD, your doctor will likely suggest staying at a healthy weight or losing weight if you need to. Your doctor can help you find a weight loss program that can work for you.

What is the importance of body fat distribution?

The distribution of body fat in part
may determine the negative impact of obesity on your health. Specifically, the relationship between your waist measurement and your hip
measurement, called your waist-to-hip ratio, might play a role in your risk for health problems. If your waist-to-hip ratio is
high, it means you are carrying most of your body fat around your abdomen. Fat
deposits, especially around the abdomen area, may be an important
independent risk factor for diabetes and coronary artery
disease.

Smith SC, et al. (2011). AHA/ACCF secondary prevention and risk reduction therapy for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2011 update: A guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation. Circulation, 124(22): 2458–2473. Also available online: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/124/22/2458.full.

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